ALGIERS – Algeria came under mounting international criticism Friday as fears grew for dozens of foreign hostages still unaccounted for after a deadly commando raid against their captors at a desert gas field. More than 20 foreigners were still being held hostage or missing inside the gas plant. Thirty hostages, including at least seven Westerners, were killed during Thursday's assault, along with at least 18 of their captors, said an Algerian security source. Britain said the “terrorist incident” was still ongoing after Algerian officials acknowledged that while they had recaptured a housing compound at the In Amenas field, the gas plant remained in the hands of the militants. Japan's foreign ministry summoned the Algerian ambassador to demand an explanation as foreign governments said they had received no advance warning of the Algerian decision to try to end the hostage-taking by force. Norway's Statoil, which operates the field along with British oil giant BP and Algerian energy firm Sonatrach, said eight Norwegian staff remained unaccounted for, while a ninth was safe but had been wounded. France said two of its nationals had returned safe but that it had no word on two others reported to have been among the hostages. One man from Northern Ireland escaped. According to his brother, Stephen McFaul fled when the convoy in which he was travelling came under fire from the army, and had earlier “had explosives tied around his neck.” The Japanese government said the army assault was “regrettable” and that it was receiving no clear information from on the ground as Algerian officials maintained a public silence on Friday. The British prime minister said he was not given prior warning of the Algerian army offensive. – Agencies
